Picture this: Fotoseptiembre USA highlights

Published 5:39 pm, Friday, August 28, 2015

In recent years, Michael Mehl, director of Fotoseptiembre USA, has challenged would-be participants to up their game.

This year — the month-long photography festival’s 21st — it appears that more artists, organizers and curators have done just that.

“We are noticing more of a willingness to assume curatorial responsibilities and to engage in the various aspects of producing an exhibit, not just the usual, ‘Here’s a space, here’s the artwork’ approach we have seen so many times,” Mehl said.

Mehl and company are particularly heartened by the efforts of some of the younger participants who have shown “a seriousness and an earnestness that we had not seen in a while.” In particular, he cites Amanda Dominguez, Alexandra Nelipa and Michelle Lorentzen, who respectively organized shows at Digital Pro Lab, Mercury Project and Freight Gallery & Studios.

In all, there are 33 Fotoseptiembre exhibits and events, with the first of them opening this weekend. For a complete listing, go to www.fotoseptiembreusa.com.

“The Uncertainty of Life in Security — Veterans Back Home,” an exhibit exploring the concept of security in relation to those who risk their well-being and lives serving in the armed forces. The show includes photography and work in other media by six artists, including Joseph Duarte, Aaron Hughes and Regina Vasquez. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Wednesday; through Sept. 30, UTSA Art Gallery, 1604 Campus, 1 UTSA Circle. 210-458-4391, www.art.utsa.edu